The Fresh Meat actor and stand-up won the gong at the UK Comedy Awards, beating competition including Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Lee Mack.

The event, shown on Channel 4 last night, also saw Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen accept a special award for Outstanding Achievement.

The controversial star wore a tracksuit with the name "Savile" on the back, telling the audience he now had to "buy me tracksuits from second hand shops".

There was also success for two arch-rivals from political satire The Thick Of It as Peter Capaldi was named Best TV Comedy Actor for his role as foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, while Rebecca Front won the Best TV Comedy Actress award for her portrayal of hapless politician Nicola Murray.

Her success meant there was no win for Olivia Colman, who was nominated in the category for two different roles - in Olympic satire Twenty Twelve, and the sitcom Rev.

Capaldi saw off competition from Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, who got a nod for his Twenty Twelve role, along with Tom Hollander for Rev and Steve Coogan.

Other winners include Harry Hill whose TV Burp show was named the Best Comedy Entertainment Programme.

The award for Best Sitcom saw The Thick Of It, Rev and Twenty Twelve all lose out to Julia Davis's Sky show Hunderby, which was also named Best New Comedy Programme.